Method and system for balancing the load on media processors based upon CPU utilization information

• US 20040186904A1
• Filed: 03/20/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications, Inc. (Atos SE)
• Inventors: Oliveira, Marcelo Gomes
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/505 considering the load
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/365 Load metering of control unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/367 Traffic or load control
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/562 where the conference facilities are distributed
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

The present invention is a method and system for balancing the load on processors based upon the CPU utilization information of the processors. Real time CPU utilization information of processors may be effectively analyzed to prevent overloading of processing resources as assigned by a multipoint controller of a VoIP network. CPU utilization information may include the number of current conferencing channels being supported by each processor, CPU speed and the quantity of other applications being supported by the media processor. CPU utilization information from each processor may be retrieved by establishing a communication protocol with each processor and periodically polling the processors in regard to their CPU load capability. Assignment of processing tasks to processors may be based on which specific processors have the capability to handle the processing task.

Claims

1. A method executed by a controller for balancing a load on a plurality of processors based upon a CPU utilization information of the plurality of processors, comprising:

retrieving a CPU utilization information of each processor of said plurality of processors;

assigning an additional processing task according to said CPU utilization information of each processor.

2. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising requesting said CPU utilization information of each processor of said plurality of processors.

3. The method as described in claim 2, wherein said requesting of said CPU utilization information occurs upon receipt of said additional processing task by said controller.

4. The method as described in claim 2, wherein said requesting of said CPU utilization information is repeated according to a periodic basis.

5. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said CPU utilization information includes a number of conferences being supported by each processor across a conferencing system.

6. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said additional processing task is a new conference inquiry.

7. The method as described in claim 1, wherein assigning of said additional processing task includes determining an amount of processing resources necessary to execute said additional processing task.

8. The method as described in claim 1, wherein a processor having a capability to execute said additional processing task is delegated for said additional processing task.

9. The method as described in claim 1, wherein a processor having a highest amount of processing capability is delegated for said additional processing task.

10. A system for balancing a load on a plurality of processors based upon a CPU utilization information of the plurality of processors, comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of processors, each of said plurality of processors being operatively coupled to said controller;

means for accessing said CPU utilization of each processor of said plurality of processors; and

means for assigning an additional processing task to a specific processor of said plurality of processors, wherein a selection of said specific processor is based according to said CPU utilization information of each processor.

11. The system as described in claim 10, wherein said controller requests said CPU utilization information upon a receipt of said additional processing task.

12. The system as described in claim 10, wherein said controller requests said CPU utilization information on a periodic basis.

13. The system as described in claim 10, wherein said plurality of processors report said CPU utilization information when a processing capability for said plurality of processors has been exhausted.

14. The system as described in claim 10, wherein said CPU utilization information includes a number of conferences being supported by each processor across a conferencing system.

15. The system as described in claim 10, wherein said additional processing task is a new conference inquiry.

16. The system as described in claim 10, wherein assigning of said additional processing task includes determining an amount of processing resources necessary to execute said additional processing task.

17. The system as described in claim 10, wherein a processor having a capability to execute said additional processing task is delegated for said additional processing task.

18. The system as described in claim 10, wherein a processor having a highest amount of processing capability is delegated for said additional processing task.

19. A network conferencing system, comprising:

a multipoint controller;

said multipoint controller controlling communications across said network conferencing system;

a plurality of processors, each of said plurality of processors being operatively coupled to said controller;

said plurality of processors handling processing of audio/video and data across said network conferencing system; and

at least one terminal operatively coupled to said multipoint controller;

said at least one terminal providing a receptacle for audio/video and data input, wherein said multipoint controller receives an additional processing task, a CPU utilization information from said plurality of processors is retrieved and said additional processing task is delegated to at least one specific processor of said plurality of processors based upon said CPU utilization information of said plurality of processors.

20. The system as described in claim 19, wherein said multipoint controller requests said CPU utilization information upon a receipt of said additional processing task.

21. The system as described in claim 19, wherein said multipoint controller requests said CPU utilization information on a periodic basis.

22. The system as described in claim 19, wherein said plurality of processors report said CPU utilization information when a processing capability for said plurality of processors has been exhausted.

23. The system as described in claim 19, wherein said CPU utilization information includes a number of conferences being supported by each processor across said network conferencing system.

24. The system as described in claim 19, wherein said additional processing task is a new conference inquiry.

25. The system as described in claim 19, wherein a processor having a capability to execute said additional processing task is delegated for said additional processing task.

26. The system as described in claim 19, wherein a processor having a highest amount of processing capability is delegated for said additional processing task.